The fishing season officially starts today with both fresh and saltwater species being offered to anglers who have been suffering from cabin fever all winter long. The rub is that winter might linger a little while longer, because as you are reading this a Nor'easter is blowing and it's snowing in parts of New York and New Jersey. Welcome to spring. The winter flounder season starts today in New York. If the past few years are any indication, don't expect much because this species has seen a big decline. The freshwater lakes, ponds and streams have been stocked by New York's DEC, so you can find good fishing in the sweetwater, especially on Long Island where temperatures are warmer. Though cod-fishing is not the only game in town anymore, it remains the best game for saltwater anglers heading to Montauk and Shinnecock. There is still a large body of fish off Block Island and while about one in six is a keeper, you should go home with plenty of meat. While we are on the subject of cod fish, it looks like the feds are going to put limits on these fish in federal waters. At a meeting on March 17, the New England Fishery Management Council agreed to enact additional regulations on these fish due to the large number of charter, party and private boats that are targeting cod. Nevertheless, any changes will most likely not go into effect until 2012. Right now you can take has many as you want in federal, but in New York State waters the limit is 10. A number of weeks ago a friend of mine, who is a charter captain fishing out of Montauk, said the cod-fishing was getting out of hand as anglers and some captains were taking advantage of the fact that there was not a possession limit. To their credit, there were those that maintained the 10-fish limit even though they were in federal waters. The National Marine Fisheries Service made an adjustment regarding the bluefin tuna Angling Category. Starting tomorrow and running through Dec. 31, 2011, one school or one large school bluefin per day, per boat will be allowed, while on charter and party boats, one school and one large school bluefin will be permitted. The large medium and giant bluefin tuna fishery will be closed for the remainder of 2011. ================================================ Fishing reduces stress and gives you a break from our modern world where everything is going a million miles per hour 73 Check & Clear 6 LOC: 38-54-14.60N / 097-14-09.07W |
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